Sometimes, couples in California have a falling out. But, when one fight leads to another and then another, eventually both partners come to the conclusion that their marriage was not meant to last and they are better off divorcing. Naturally, disagreements are often at the heart of many divorces, so it should come as no surprise that couples may not see eye-to-eye when it comes to resolving divorce legal issues, such as the division of assets, child custody, and spousal support.
Therefore, couples may think that their only option once they decide to divorce is to face their partner in court and have the judge rule on their divorce legal issues. However, sometimes it is possible to approach the matter in a less adversarial way that might be less costly, less time-consuming and less stressful. One of these options is mediation.
Through mediation, couples will work together out of court to resolve their divorce issues with the help of a mediator. A mediator is a neutral third party, who does not take the side of one spouse or the other, nor are they the ultimate decision-maker. Instead, the mediator helps the spouses have conversations in an effort to reach an agreement. The mediator can serve as the go-between, so the spouses do not even have to be in the same room if they wish.
Through mediation, couples can work together to try to reach an agreement on their divorce issues. Oftentimes, mediation can lead to a satisfactory outcome for both parties, since it is the parties themselves that came up with it. And, even if only some issues were resolved through mediation and others were not, it can still be a beneficial process as there are fewer issues to litigate. California couples interested in divorce mediation may want to consult with an attorney to determine if it is right for them.
Source: courts.ca.gov, "Resolve Your Divorce or Separation Out of Court," Accessed Sept. 18, 2017
